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The Home of Collective Creativity
 
 
 

Our Work

We live in a highly fragmented and visually cluttered world. Istoria Group inspires brands to be the best version of themselves by discovering their authenticity. We encourage our clients to embrace and own that truth. We don’t just create brands, we turn them into experiences and we bring their stories to life, authentically and truthfully.

 

Client List

Retail

Saddleback
Lovehoney
The Gro Company
Elvie
Vital Baby
Ickle Bubba
Bathroom Village
Miyo
Chippenham Pit Stop
Draycot Stores
Just Botanics
Craghoppers
Surly
Gymshark
The North Face

Technology

Amazon
Advoc8
Google
Krix
Solverboard

Food & Beverage

Beyond the Bean
Nomad
The Jolly Hog

Pharma & Beauty

Biosplice Therapeutics, Inc
British Society of Rheumatology
C8 Medisensors
Eli Lilly and Company
Galderma
Roche
Space NK

Aerospace & Defence

Thales
Pilatus
Etihad Airlines
BAE Systems
Valence
Nicomatic

 

Engineering & Manufacturing

Dow Corning
Assystem
Elsio
Omnie
Mitox

Education, Third Sector, NFP

University of Gloucestershire
University of Bristol
The Macular Society
Science Museum
Bristol Cultural Development Partnership
Cadw
Perfect Ward
Invictus Games

Hospitality & Leisure

Ensemble
Pigsty
Marugame Udon
Yeo Valley
Café Oulala
The Picture House
Mochatoo
Avalon Waterways
Hook Norton Brewery
Mount Haven Hotel & Restaurant

Workspace

Matthew Fairweather
The Pixel
Solverboard

Construction

LafargeHolcim

Energy

OVO Energy

 
 
 
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Testimonials

Our aim is to excite and tell meaningful stories about our clients’ brands. We therefore work in partnership with our clients to transform their vision into a reality, and their objectives into a strategy. Here’s what our clients have to say:

 
 
 
Client Testimonials

“It’s a no-brainer that a happy company is not only more productive but creates a better experience for staff and clients too. Investment in people always makes impeccable – and sustainable – business sense.”

Claire Menzies, Chairwoman, Istoria Group

“It has been a pleasure partnering with the Ignition team who have delivered a unique booth concept under very challenging timelines. No wild ideas seemed impossible to implement and l was stunned by the quick responsiveness and professionalism. It feels like a great match to work with a team that is creative and open to new ideas.”

Associate International Product Manager, Roche Diagnostics International Ltd

“Thank you to all the agencies at Istoria Group who helped make the show our most successful to date. Your innovative approach and excellent project management made the whole process effortless (like child’s play!)”

Head of Creative and Marketing, The Gro Company.

‘A huge thank you all for your hard work and everything you have done above-and-beyond to make yet another super polished and successful brand presentation at the Saddleback House Show. The feedback from staff, dealers and international brands reached a new level of praise this year. A big thank you for a perfect layout and merchandising and for going the extra mile to make the SIDI display perfect'.

Project Lead, Saddleback

“It was such a pleasure working with Ignition, a dedicated, creative and proactive team, and lovely people too. We’re really pleased with the two interactive exhibits you created for the ‘Who Am I? gallery at the Science Museum. Thank you for all your hard work.”

Director, Who Am I? Gallery – Science Museum

“The freshness of thought and creativity excited the whole organisation; when I played the final cut of the TV ad at a grand reveal to staff, it was met by a spontaneous round of applause!

Working with the Caroline team has been a real pleasure; it has felt like a genuine partnership, and in my experience that’s rare in terms of a client/agency relationship.”

Marketing and E-Commerce Director,  Avalon Waterways

“The Phoenix Wharf team adopts a very collaborative approach, working with our in-house creative and property teams to create thoughtful, fresh ideas which enhance our store design. As a result, we feel listened to and cared for as clients.”

Managing Director, Space NK

“Our CEO said that this is how a design brief should be approached, and that you really thought about the project as a whole and as an experience, not just created a design. And you involved us every step of the way.”

Marketing Manager, Euro Jet

“Our time with Phoenix Wharf was absolutely fantastic; the service they provided couldn’t have been better and the new branding has been a huge hit with our customers and suppliers alike.”

Web & Design Manager, UK Bathroom Village Ltd

“The Caroline team are an absolute pleasure to work with, combining exceptional creativity with adept strategic thinking, technical expertise and energy.”

Marketing and Communications Manager, The Macular Society.

 
 

Our Reputation

Awards are a small indication of the effectiveness of our creativity, how we think and how we conduct business. We are proud to be one of the UK’s Best Places to Work and of our recognition for creativity and sustainability.

 
 

2023

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS
Interior Design - Hospitality (Oh So Yum! - Phoenix Wharf)
Winner - Silver

 

2022

GREAT BRITISH ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS
Creative Entrepreneur of the Year - South West (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Finalist

GREAT BRITISH BUSINESSWOMAN AWARDS
Creative Industries Businesswoman of the Year (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Finalist

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURIAL CHALLENGE
Universal Award (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Finalist

DESIGN WEEK AWARDS
Social Design, Do Something for Nothing (Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

BRISTOL POST
Most Influential Women in Bristol (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Winner

ESSA AWARDS
Sustainability (Ignition)
Winner - Silver

BRISTOL POST
Most Influential Women in Bristol (Sam Rowe, Ignition)
Winner

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
Creative (Istoria Group)
Finalist

LDC TOP 50 MOST AMBITIOUS BUSINESS LEADERS
Sustainable Impact Award (Sam Rowe, Ignition)
Finalist

GAMECHANGER PROGRESS CHAMPION AWARDS
Inclusivity and Diversity Award (Istoria Group)
Winner

 

2021

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS
Better Future - Equity & Inclusion (#DoSomethingforNothing Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
Environment (Ignition)
Winner

CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS
Food / Beverage & Supermarket Design - The Bristol Loaf (Phoenix Wharf)
Highly Commended

GREAT BRITISH BUSINESS WOMAN AWARDS
Creative Industries (Claire Menzies)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Business Leader of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Green Business of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
Homes & Interiors (Phoenix Wharf)
Finalist

RESTAURANT & BAR DESIGN AWARDS
Café, Europe / Bristol Loaf (Phoenix Wharf)
Finalist

PORTABLE MODULAR AWARDS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
LafargeHolcim (Ignition)
Finalist

PORTABLE MODULAR AWARDS
Best Island Exhibit 1,000 Square Feet+ (LafargeHolcim)
Finalist

 

2020

THE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
Sustainable Development (Ignition)
Winner

FINDIT - TOP 40 / EXHIBITOR Magazine
Creativity and Key Differentiators (Ignition Inc)
Winner

BUSINESS GAME CHANGER MAGAZINE
UK’s Top Ten Women in Business (Sam Rowe, Ignition)
Winner

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
Best Creative Agency (Istoria Group)
Winner

ACQ5 GLOBAL AWARDS 2020
UK Gamechanger of the Year (Lindie Kramers)
Winner

ACQ5 GLOBAL AWARDS 2020 
UK Growth Company of the Year (Ignition)
Winner

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS
Hospitality, Interior Design - The Bristol Loaf (Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

IEMA SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT AWARDS
Sustainable Organisation (Ignition)
Winner

IEMA SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT AWARDS
Sustainable Leader (Ignition)
Finalist - Highly Commended

GREAT BRITISH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Creative Industries Entrepreneur of the Year (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Finalist

GREAT BRITISH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Scale-up Entrepreneur of the Year (Claire Menzies, Istoria Group)
Finalist

 

2019

MM&M AWARDS
Best Places to Work, Small Agency (Ignition Inc)
Winner

EN ELITE AWARDS
Best Eco Company (Ignition)
Finalist

EN ELITE AWARDS
Best Employer (Ignition)
Winner

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS
Hospitality, Interior Design - Yeo Valley (Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Employer of the Year (Istoria Group)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Business Leader of the Year (Sam Rowe, Istoria Group)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Export & International Business of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

EVCOM INDUSTRY AWARDS
Agency of the Year - London Live (Istoria Group)
Finalist

LUXLIFE MAGAZINE
Most Outstanding Multidisciplinary Design Studio (Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

UK ENTERPRISE AWARDS
Best Creative Agencies Collection (Istoria Group)
Winner

MEDIA INNOVATOR AWARDS
Best Strategy & Graphic Design Agency - South West England (Phoenix Wharf)
Winner

MEDIA INNOVATOR AWARDS
Most Innovative Creative Agency – South West England (Caroline)
Winner

WORLD EXHIBITION STAND AWARDS
Best Stand at a Healthcare Event - Roche (Ignition)
Winner - Gold

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
Best Creative Agency (Ignition)
Winner

PORTABLE MODULAR AWARDS
Best International Design - Roche (Ignition)
Shortlisted

 

2018

EN ELITE AWARDS
Best Eco Company (Ignition)
Winner

EN ELITE AWARDS
Best Employer (Ignition)
Winner

EN ELITE AWARDS
Best Design & Build Company (> £5m turnover) (Ignition)
Finalist

GREAT WORKPLACES AWARDS
Best Place to Work UK (Ignition)
Top 20

AEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Sustainability Award (Ignition)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Green Business of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Employer of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

LLOYDS BANK NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS
Employer of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

LLOYDS BANK NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS
Exporter of the Year (Ignition)
Finalist

EXHIBITOR MAGAZINE’S PORTABLE MODULAR AWARDS
Best International Design - Roche (Ignition)
Finalist

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS
Best Restaurant Design - Pigsty (Phoenix Wharf)
Finalist

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Certifications

 

Certified B Corporation®

ISO 20121
Sustainable Events Management, Ignition

ISO 14001
Environmental Management, Ignition

ISO 9001
Quality Management, Ignition

Women Owned

Great Place to Work
UK’s Best Workplace Top 20

Cyber Essentials

 

Memberships

 

RSA
Royal Society of Arts

Stylus
Trends & Insights

Bristol Media
Creative Networking Hub

SBBW 
Society of Bristol Business Women

HCEA
Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association

ESSA
Event Supplier & Services Association

EON
Event Organisers Network

WEAF
West of England Aerospace Forum

Indy Chamber
Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce